Drinking the last of the 20th Century.
The dusty Library building was undergoing a face lift
It had been closed for many months,
Books have a musty smell and buildings need to comply
With the latest government regulations.
Still the pensioners and students
would come with bundles of books,
Tied together with string.
But with librarians on leave, and labouring workmen in there place
with plaster board and gloss paints,
books could not be returned.
Only a sign, chained to the big gates, greeted visitors with the words,
"This Library is temporarily closed due to refurbishment,
It will reopen in Spring 2000."
I filled up my cup with old wars and revolutions
I drank down the last of the 20th century,
I looked to the bottom of the cup
Looking for memory or desire;
No clues or tealeaf readers,
Only ideology leaving a taste to forget.
Would the library ever reopen?
Neil Stringfellow. November 21st, 2005.
Ah Dear Graham, Thanks for posting this message!
ReplyDeleteIts a long time since I wrote this, nearly five years (according to the date) but I did earlier this year try to record this with some sounds behind it but gave up! I still like the poem though. I've been very busy of late, my girlfriend and I are very much in love and spend so much time together but tonight I have a free night and thought I'd spend a bit of time online pottering around! We should try and catch up soon, hope we can! Take Care NEIL